Improvement in sheep-holders for shearing



J. R. VIRGO.

Sheep-Holder fo r Shearing. I

N() I59'868 v Patented Feb.l6,l875.

WITNESSES: INVENTUB ATTGBNEYS.

THE GRAPHIC C0.PHOTO-LITH.39&41 PARK PLAOEJLY.

'- s'm'rns JOSEPH R. VIRGO, OF TEXAS TOWNSHIP, KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHEEP-HOLDERS FOR SHEARING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 59,868.. dated February 16, 1875 application filed N vember 21, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH R. VIRGO, of township of Texas, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sheep-Holders, of which the following is a specification:

The object of this invention is to provide a suitable and convenient means for holding sheep while performing the operation of shearing them and it consists in an adjustable shearing-table, having an adjustable stand and plates for holding the legs of the sheep, constructed substantially as hereinafter shown and described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a top view. Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the holdii'ig-plates detached.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the table, which is made to revolve freely on a central pivot, B, in the tablepillar G. D are the arms attached to the bottom of the pillar O, which rest upon the floor, as seen in the drawing. E is the adjustable stand. F is the lower device forholding the rear legs, and consists of the plate G, which is pivoted to the table. The table is cut away on one side, so that the plate G is pivoted to the table about one-fourth of the diameter of the table from the center, and on this side of the table, and opposite the holders, the operator stands when he is shearing the sheep. To the lower part of the plate G is attached the arm H. This arm forms an eye, through which passes the adjustable stand E. The arm 11 is rigidly attached to the plate G, and the plate turns on the pivots I, so that the stand and plate can be turned back to the position seen in dotted lines in Fig. l. The stand is held in an upright position by means of the catch-bar J, which bar is rigidly connected with the roll K, the movement of which roll is controlled by the spring L, the roll and spring being seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2. A toe on the arm H catches in the notch M of the bar J, which holds the adjustable stand E in an upright position. The stand is fastened in any position, as to height, by the set-screw N. In the plate G are apertures O O for confining the rear legs of the sheep. These apertures are padded with leather or any soft material, and the legs are confined by means of the sliding blocks P P. Q Q are V-shaped springs attached to the blocks 0 and to the lever B, as seen in Fig. 3. l/Vhen the lever is thrown down onto the pin S the springs Q allow of flexibility, and a movement of the legs. The upper holding-plate F, with its springs and levers, is similar to the lower one, and is attached to the top of the stand by the arm S.

When asheep is fastened on the table it is in an easy position, and convenient for the shearer, and can be turned by turning the rable to the right or left, as may be required.

The fleece is not liable to be cut or torn, and the sheep can be sheared in much less time than when it is laid upon the floor in the usual way.

I do not confine myself to the precise construction and arrangement shown of all the parts of this sheep-holder, as variations may be made in many ways without departing from my invention.

' Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A sheep-holder constructed substantially as described-that is, having a revolving table, A, holding-plates F F, and adjustable stand E, for the purposes set forth.

2. The holdingplates F F, with their sliding blocks P, V-shaped springs Q, and bent levers R, for the purposes described.

3. The combination of the shaft K, spring L, and locking-arm J, with the adjustable stand E and pivoted plate G, substantially as herein set forth, for the object stated.

JOSEPH RICHARD VIRGO.

Witnesses J OB G. SHELDON, WILLIAM B. BERTINE. 

